Productive three-day test for the Repsol Honda Team concludes in Malaysia

The Repsol Honda Team concluded a positive first test of 2018 in Malaysia, with Dani Pedrosa second-fastest with a best lap time of 1’59.009” and reigning World Champion Marc Marquez just over 3 tenths of a second behind him in seventh place, with a best lap of 1’59.382”.

The Repsol Honda men made the best of a day blessed by bright sunshine, each completing (among their other work) one 15-lap long run. Dani’s was in the late morning, and Marc’s was after lunch, around the usual race time.

Over the three days, Marc completed a total of 194 laps, Dani 170, collecting useful information for the HRC engineers and the team who will now prepare for the next test, scheduled at the new-entry track in Buriram, Thailand, 16-18 February.

Dani Pedrosa

2nd1’59.009 (on lap 9 of 58)

“I think we had a positive final day, and a positive test in general here in Sepang. The team did a very good job, as we correctly planned the work schedule for each day. Today we put together all the best aspects from the previous two days and worked on our speed, improving our fast lap and our pace, and completing a long run of almost race distance on a good rhythm. We worked on the engine, aerodynamics, suspension, and tyres—both soft and hard specs. You could say we addressed more or less every area of the setup, and we got a good general feeling and collected a lot of data. We have to analyse everything more thoroughly, but the feeling was there. Now we look forward to confirming everything on other tracks.”

Marc Marquez

7th1’59.382 (on lap 9 of 75)

“Today I feel very happy because we worked hard and quite well. We even did a long run of 15 laps around three o’clock, when the temperature on track was very high, and our pace was good. In the afternoon we kept trying different things and ultimately didn’t really make a time attack, but I felt very good on the bike. We need to check the new aerodynamics better, and on another circuit, as we want to make the right choice. On the other hand, I think we did a great job on the engine, even if we’re still not at 100 per cent with the setting. Generally speaking, I think Dani, Cal [Crutchlow], and I were working in slightly different ways, and we gathered a lot of information that will be useful for Honda to prepare a good base.”

MotoGP 2018Tuesday, January 30th 2018

TestingSepang Official TestMalaysia

Sepang Day 3

Sunny

Humidity

54%

Air Temp

34°C

Pos.

Rider

Num

Nation

Team

Constructor

Time/Gap

1

Lorenzo Jorge

99

SPA

Mission Winnow Ducati

Ducati

1:58.830

2

Pedrosa Dani

26

SPA

Repsol Honda Team

Honda

0.179

3

Crutchlow Cal

35

GBR

LCR Honda

Honda

0.222

4

Dovizioso Andrea

4

ITA

Mission Winnow Ducati

Ducati

0.339

5

Miller Jack

43

AUS

Pramac Racing

Ducati

0.516

6

Rins Alex

42

SPA

Team Suzuki Ecstar

Suzuki

0.518

7

Marquez Marc

93

SPA

Repsol Honda Team

Honda

0.552

8

Rossi Valentino

46

ITA

Movistar Yamaha MotoGP

Yamaha

0.619

9

Zarco Johann

5

FRA

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

KTM

0.681

10

Petrucci Danilo

9

ITA

Pramac Racing

Ducati

0.698

11

Rabat Tito

53

SPA

Reale Avintia Racing

Ducati

0.717

12

Iannone Andrea

29

ITA

Team Suzuki Ecstar

Suzuki

0.785

13

Espargaro Aleix

41

SPA

Aprilia Racing Team Gresini

Aprilia

1.132

14

Nakagami Takaaki

30

JPN

LCR Honda

Honda

1.241

15

Bautista Alvaro

19

SPA

Angel Nieto Team

Ducati

1.375

16

Kallio Mika

36

FIN

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

KTM

1.634

17

Morbidelli Franco

21

ITA

EG 0,0 Marc VDS

Honda

1.696

18

Vinales Maverick

25

SPA

Movistar Yamaha MotoGP

Yamaha

1.717

19

Abraham Karel

17

CZE

Angel Nieto Team

Ducati

1.744

20

Simeon Xavier

10

BEL

Reale Avintia Racing

Ducati

1.954

21

Redding Scott

45

GBR

Aprilia Racing Team Gresini

Aprilia

1.982

22

Smith Bradley

38

GBR

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

KTM

2.139

23

Guintoli Sylvain

50

FRA

Team Suzuki Ecstar

Suzuki

2.290

24

Luthi Tom

12

SWI

EG 0,0 Marc VDS

Honda

2.296

25

Hernandez Yonny

68

COL

Monster Yamaha Tech 3

Yamaha

2.393

26

TEST 3 Yamaha

33

JPN

Yamaha Test Team

Yamaha

2.555

27

TEST 2 Yamaha

32

JPN

Yamaha Test Team

Yamaha

2.849

Gallery

Images are copyright but free for editorial use.

Location Information

Specifically built for speed and exciting racing, the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia is one of the world’s best. The 2,300 acre complex cost around £50m to construct and was built in just 14 months, holding its first Grand Prix in April 1999 and setting the standard for race circuits… read more.

Location Information

Specifically built for speed and exciting racing, the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia is one of the world’s best. The 2,300 acre complex cost around £50m to construct and was built in just 14 months, holding its first Grand Prix in April 1999 and setting the standard for race circuits… read more.